I ride past solidified rivers of lava and dark pine trees into a kaleidoscope of colour. My gravel tyres shimmy over blazing rust-red dirt and dust the shade of white-hot pumice. I pass strange, sea-green boulders and black orbs of rock that glisten like the island’s night skies. And all around me the yellow flowers of Codeso del Pico and Teide Flixweed drench this alien world in a buttery glow.
Many cyclists visit Tenerife, but without gravel tyres they will never get to see this remote, psychedelic dreamscape. Thanks to its volcanic geology and isolated geography, Tenerife is a laboratory for volcanologists, a museum for geologists, a pristine paradise for astronomers, a testing ground for Nasa astronauts and a film set for Hollywood movies. But the largest of the Canary Islands is also a 2,034km2 playground for cyclists.
Many cyclists visit Tenerife, but without gravel tyres they will never get to see this remote, psychedelic dreamscape
The island’s high altitudes, smooth roads and average temperature of 22°C make it a favourite training haven for pro teams as well as a winter escape for amateur riders. But Tenerife’s hidden gravel trails offer a gritty and more intimate way to explore the island, unlocking wild volcanic terrain and fresh cycling sensations.
On these bone-dry gravel trails I can feel the texture of the terrain shift beneath my tyres,
